By Peace Erewunmi

Tension erupted in Abuja on Saturday after security operatives sealed off the venue scheduled for a special convention organised by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

The convention was expected to hold at the A-Class Event Centre in the Wuse area of the Federal Capital Territory, with party members and delegates arriving ahead of the planned gathering.

However, police officers and other security personnel reportedly barricaded access to the venue, preventing participants from entering the premises.

The development came amid a fresh controversy within the PDP, which has been grappling with internal divisions and competing leadership claims.

Prior to the event, the faction organising the convention had alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, threatened to shut down the venue if the gathering proceeded as planned.

The organisers maintained that all necessary arrangements had been concluded and that relevant security agencies had been notified before the event.

Meanwhile, the FCT Administration had earlier. warned hotels, event centres, and public facilities against hosting gatherings by groups not recognised under existing regulations, citing security concerns and the need to maintain public order.

Despite the disruption, reports indicate that the organisers later relocated the convention to an alternative venue where proceedings were concluded.

The incident has generated reactions from political stakeholders, with supporters describing the action as an attempt to suppress political activities, while others argue that authorities acted within their responsibility to maintain security and enforce regulations.

As of the time of filing this report, neither former President Goodluck Jonathan nor the Nigeria Police Force had issued an official statement on the development.